Yorba Linda names Citizen of the Year; city turns down Costco recycle station due to location

 

Two disparate items merit attention this week: Yorba Linda city officials have chosen a Citizen of the Year for 2021 and denied a permit to locate a recycling center at Costco in Savi Ramch.

Seventeen-year resident Kristen You is the 18^th person to be recognized as the city's Citizen of the Year for her extensive community involvement, particularly in education, with her volunteer service for students and staff in the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District.

You has been honored with the PTSA's honorary service awards at Bryant Ranch Elementary, Travis Ranch Middle and Yorba Linda High schools, and in her term as president, the Mustang PTSA was recognized as Outstanding Secondary PTSA in Orange County.

In addition, You has helped grow Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapters in six high schools and has organized school Bible studies and various prayer groups. She's twice been honored with the district's prestigious Superintendent's Award.

Citizen of the Year awards are made by a five-member committee consisting of the mayor and one member each from the city's four commissions, planning, parks and recreation, library and traffic. Nominations begin in July of each year, with the award made in late October.

Criteria includes participation “in humanitarian/volunteer activities that make a difference in ...Yorba Linda and/or the community at large. Special consideration will be given to nominees whose volunteer work directly benefits Yorba Linda and/or brings significant recognition to the city.”

A city Planning Commission action to deny a permit to operate a recycling station in the front parking lot of Costco in Savi Ranch has been upheld by the City Council after back-and-forth communication among city officials, Costco management and Savi Ranch Property Holdings.

The key dispute centered on the location of the operation, which would consist of a self-enclosed, transportable unit and staging area that would take up several parking spaces.

The city suggested a location to the rear of Costco “to minimize impacts to aesthetics, customer parking and parking lot circulation.” Costco and facility operator Sunset Recycling preferred the front location or one near the fuel pumps.

After weeks of conversations and letters on the matter, the city, Costco and Sunset Recycling appeared to agree to a space in the back of the Costco building, with signage that would alert customers to the recycle location.

But then Savi Ranch Property Holdings entered the picture with a letter stating their opposition to a front or rear location and expressing their belief that the operation should be placed on the west side of the building near the gas pumps, a location the council was unwilling to accept.

__________

Veterans Day note: The public is invited to the short flag lowering ceremony that is held every Thursday at 4:15 p.m. at the city veterans memorial at Veterans Park on Valley View Avenue.